PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Study Guide: Everything You Need to Know 2025
Your complete roadmap to passing the PMI-ACP certification exam. This comprehensive study guide covers all 7 exam domains with detailed explanations, study tips, and practice resources.
Quick Start
Essential steps to begin your preparation
Review Exam Objectives
View all domains →Take Assessment Quiz
Free practice test →Follow Study Plan
8-week roadmap →Full Practice Exams
Start practicing →Exam Domains & Objectives
Master these 7 domains to pass the PMI-ACP exam
Agile Principles and Mindset
Value-Driven Delivery
Stakeholder Engagement
Team Performance
Adaptive Planning
Problem Detection and Resolution
Continuous Improvement
8-Week Study Plan
Follow this structured plan to prepare for your PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) exam
Foundation
Understand core concepts and exam objectives
Focus Areas:
- Agile Principles and Mindset
- Value-Driven Delivery
Deep Dive
Master advanced topics and practical applications
Focus Areas:
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Team Performance
Practice & Review
Take practice exams and review weak areas
Focus Areas:
- Adaptive Planning
- Problem Detection and Resolution
- Continuous Improvement
Final Prep
Full practice exams and last-minute review
Focus Areas:
- Full-length practice tests
- Review all domains
Curated Study Resources
AI-curated resources with real links to help you prepare for the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) exam
Complete Study Guide for PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
The PMI-ACP certification demonstrates your knowledge of agile principles, practices, tools, and techniques across multiple agile methodologies. This globally recognized certification validates your ability to lead agile projects and work effectively in agile environments, covering Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and test-driven development approaches.
Who Should Take This Exam
- Project managers transitioning to agile methodologies
- Scrum Masters seeking broader agile expertise
- Agile team leaders and coaches
- Product owners and business analysts in agile environments
- Software development professionals working in agile teams
Prerequisites
- 2,000 hours of general project experience working on teams (within last 5 years)
- 1,500 hours working on agile project teams or with agile methodologies (within last 3 years)
- 21 contact hours of training in agile practices
- Understanding of core agile concepts and frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP)
- Basic project management knowledge
Official Resources
PMI-ACP Exam Content Outline
Official PMI-ACP certification page with exam structure, domains, and application requirements
View ResourcePMI-ACP Handbook
Complete handbook covering eligibility requirements, application process, and exam policies
View ResourceAgile Practice Guide
Official PMI Agile Practice Guide - essential reference material for the exam
View ResourcePMI Certifications Overview
Main certifications page with links to all PMI certification resources
View ResourcePMI Authorized Training Partners
List of authorized training providers offering official PMI-ACP preparation courses
View ResourceRecommended Courses
Recommended Books
PMI-ACP Exam Prep, Third Edition: A Course in a Book for Passing the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner Exam
by Mike Griffiths
The most comprehensive and highly recommended book specifically for PMI-ACP exam preparation, written by a recognized agile expert and PMI-ACP exam contributor
View on AmazonAgile Practice Guide
by Project Management Institute
Official PMI publication that serves as essential reference material for the exam, covering agile principles, methodologies, and practices
View on AmazonPMI-ACP Project Management Institute Agile Certified Practitioner Exam Study Guide
by J. Ashley Hunt
Comprehensive study guide with practice questions, covering all exam domains with detailed explanations and real-world examples
View on AmazonAgile Estimating and Planning
by Mike Cohn
Essential reading for the Adaptive Planning domain, covering estimation techniques, velocity, and planning in agile environments
View on AmazonThe Agile Samurai: How Agile Masters Deliver Great Software
by Jonathan Rasmusson
Practical guide to agile development covering team dynamics, stakeholder engagement, and delivering value
View on AmazonUser Stories Applied: For Agile Software Development
by Mike Cohn
Deep dive into user stories, prioritization, and value-driven delivery - essential for the Value-Driven Delivery domain
View on AmazonCoaching Agile Teams: A Companion for ScrumMasters, Agile Coaches, and Project Managers in Transition
by Lyssa Adkins
Excellent resource for understanding team performance, servant leadership, and facilitating high-performing teams
View on AmazonPMI-ACP Exam Prep Workbook
by Christopher Scordo
Practice-oriented workbook with exercises, flashcards, and sample questions for all exam domains
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
PMI Official PMI-ACP Practice Exam
Official practice exam from PMI with questions similar to actual exam format
View ResourceAgile Alliance Resources
Free agile resources, articles, and experience reports covering various agile methodologies
View ResourcePMI-ACP Exam Simulator by PM PrepCast
Comprehensive exam simulator with 1000+ practice questions and detailed explanations
View ResourcePMI-ACP Flashcards on Quizlet
Community-created flashcard sets covering key terms, concepts, and methodologies
View ResourceAgile Manifesto Official Site
Essential resource for understanding the core values and principles that underpin all agile methodologies
View ResourceScrum.org Free Resources
Free Scrum resources including guides, glossary, and open assessments for Scrum knowledge
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
PMI Community Forums
Official PMI community where practitioners discuss certification experiences, study strategies, and exam tips
Join CommunityReddit - r/pmp
Active Reddit community where PMI-ACP candidates share experiences, study materials, and exam debriefs (also covers PMI-ACP despite the name)
Join CommunityReddit - r/agile
Discussions about agile methodologies, practices, and real-world applications
Join CommunityReddit - r/scrum
Community focused on Scrum practices, which comprise a significant portion of PMI-ACP content
Join CommunityAgile Alliance Community
Global agile community with local groups, events, and resources for agile practitioners
Join CommunityLinkedIn PMI-ACP Study Groups
Search for PMI-ACP study groups on LinkedIn where professionals share resources and study tips
Join CommunityPM PrepCast PMI-ACP Forum
Dedicated forum for PMI-ACP exam preparation discussions, study tips, and question clarifications
Join CommunityStudy Tips
Understand Multiple Agile Methodologies
- PMI-ACP is methodology-agnostic - study Scrum, Kanban, XP, Lean, and Crystal methodologies
- Understand when each methodology is most appropriate and their key differences
- Don't just memorize Scrum; know how other frameworks approach the same problems differently
- Focus on the principles behind the practices, not just the mechanics
Master the Agile Manifesto
- Memorize all 4 values and 12 principles of the Agile Manifesto verbatim
- Understand the context and application of each principle in real scenarios
- Practice identifying which principle applies to various situational questions
- The manifesto underpins approximately 50% of exam questions directly or indirectly
Focus on Scenario-Based Understanding
- The exam emphasizes situational judgment - what would you do in specific scenarios
- Practice identifying the 'most agile' or 'servant leadership' approach among options
- Avoid traditional project management thinking - the agile approach is usually different
- Look for answers that promote collaboration, adaptation, and value delivery over control
Study Tools and Techniques
- Know specific agile tools, techniques, and when to apply them (e.g., Planning Poker, MoSCoW)
- Understand how to read and interpret agile charts (burndown, burnup, CFD)
- Memorize different estimation approaches and their contexts
- Study retrospective formats and facilitation techniques
Prioritize High-Weight Domains
- Value-Driven Delivery (20%) is the largest domain - allocate study time proportionally
- Stakeholder Engagement (17%) and Team Performance (16%) together are 33% of the exam
- Don't neglect smaller domains, but ensure mastery of the top three first
- Create domain-specific flashcards for each area
Practice Time Management
- 120 questions in 180 minutes = 90 seconds per question
- Practice full-length timed exams to build stamina and pacing
- Flag difficult questions and return to them if time permits
- First pass: answer questions you know confidently (aim for 60-70 minutes)
- Second pass: tackle flagged questions with remaining time
Use Multiple Study Resources
- Mike Griffiths' PMI-ACP Exam Prep book is considered the gold standard
- Supplement with PMI Agile Practice Guide for official perspective
- Take multiple practice exams from different providers to see question variety
- Join study groups to discuss concepts and clarify misunderstandings
- Watch video courses for visual learners to complement reading
Create Visual Study Aids
- Create comparison charts for different agile methodologies
- Draw mind maps for each exam domain showing connections between concepts
- Make flashcards for tools, techniques, and key definitions
- Sketch out process flows for ceremonies, planning cycles, and feedback loops
Exam Day Tips
- 1Arrive at test center 30 minutes early (or log in early for online proctored exam) to handle any technical or administrative issues
- 2Read each question carefully - PMI questions often contain subtle details that change the best answer
- 3Look for keywords like 'BEST', 'FIRST', 'MOST', 'NEXT' that indicate priority or sequence
- 4Eliminate obviously wrong answers first, then choose the 'most agile' option from remaining choices
- 5When stuck between two answers, choose the one that promotes collaboration, value delivery, or servant leadership
- 6Don't look for trick questions - take questions at face value and apply agile principles
- 7Use the erasable notepad provided to jot down key formulas or concepts for quick reference
- 8Take a mental break after every 40-50 questions - stand, stretch, breathe deeply
- 9Trust your preparation - your first instinct is usually correct; avoid excessive second-guessing
- 10Remember that it's a pass/fail exam - you don't need a perfect score, just demonstrate competency
- 11Stay calm if you encounter unfamiliar questions - they may be unscored pilot questions being tested
Study guide generated on January 8, 2026
Pro Study Tips
Expert advice to maximize your study effectiveness
Active Learning Strategies
- Hands-on practice: Apply concepts in real scenarios
- Teach others: Explain concepts to reinforce learning
- Take notes: Write summaries in your own words
Exam Day Preparation
- Get enough sleep: Rest well the night before
- Review key points: Go through your notes and cheat sheets
- Time management: Practice pacing with timed exams
Continue Your Preparation
More resources to help you succeed
Complete PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Study Guide
This comprehensive study guide will help you prepare for the PMI-ACP certification exam offered by Project Management Institute (PMI). Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this guide covers everything you need to know to pass on your first attempt.
What You Will Learn
Our study guide covers all 7 exam domains in detail:
- Agile Principles and Mindset (16%)
- Value-Driven Delivery (20%)
- Stakeholder Engagement (17%)
- Team Performance (16%)
- Adaptive Planning (12%)
- + 2 more domains
Recommended Timeline
Most candidates need 6-8 weeks of dedicated study to pass the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) exam. We recommend studying 1-2 hours daily and taking practice exams weekly to track your progress.
Next Step: Start with our free practice test to assess your current knowledge level.